Haweka and John Bean Release New Wheel Aligners

With governmental taxation of truckers on the rise and fuel costs for all soaring, road users are on the lookout for anything that can help reduce costs and fuel consumption. Responding to this need, Haweka of Toddington, Gloucestershire and John Bean, a brand within Snap-on Equipment – a fully-owned subsidiary of global tools firm, Snap-on Corporation – have released new wheel alignment tools and technology.

Haweka’s TA-20 laser wheel alignment system is designed for speed and ease of use, which they say “allows the operator to measure a 2-axle semi-trailer tractor’s to and thrust angles within about 10 minutes.” The system strives to achieve this feat through the use of a patented laser measuring head “placed on the rim by means of powerful magnetic feet (with additional grab arms for aluminium rims)”, which allows measurements to be taken immediately.

Haweka reasons that “since the measuring does not need to be compensated like all other machines, there is no need for the time consuming task of lifting up the vehicle for run-out compensation. The system allows for the measurement of front toe, individual toe, camber toe out on turns, turning radius, castor, kingpin inclination angle, angular tilt of axles thrust angle and axle offset.” The device has the potential to extend the life of tyres too, with improper wheel alignment responsible for premature wear. It is totally portable, allowing the alignment to be checked at the side of the road, if necessary.

For more passenger car-based wheel-alignment and balancing, John Bean’s newly designed Visualiner CCD and 3D wheel aligners offer ergonomic cabinet design and – the company says – “have been developed to meet the needs of professional workshops” with “strong visual appeal to emphasise the quality and reliability of the equipment.” The cabinets feature “a standardised monitor bracket, enabling a TFT monitor to be retrofitted at any time.”

Commenting on the new designs’ visual impact, Chris Behan, General Manager of Snap-on Equipment suggested that, “There’s no doubt that creating the right image has become an increasingly important factor when it comes to generating customer appeal and repeat business.”